All articles tagged with #updates
Android Authority argues that Samsung and Google’s seven-year update promises are mostly marketing; despite the long-supply appeal, battery life declines, flagship features get withheld on older hardware, and update cadence quality varies, so most users won’t experience seven years of parity—faster, more consistent updates matter more.
A Windows 11 bug from the January Preview Update has blocked all updates since February for some devices, preventing monthly security patches and Secure Boot certificate updates. Affected systems show update attempts failing with error 0x80010002 due to download timeouts and firewall rules. Microsoft recommends a Known-Issue Rollback (KB5083806 for 26H1 and KB5083631 for 24H2/25H2/Server 2025) to revert the faulty update; IT admins can apply KIR, and home users can try removing the January preview update. With Secure Boot certificates expiring in June, the rollback should be applied promptly to restore updates and security fixes.
Subnautica 2's developers outline a plan for frequent, varied updates during Early Access, ranging from quality-of-life fixes and hot fixes to larger expansions that add new biomes, creatures, tools, and story progress. The team will also push co-op improvements in the next update, invite community input via in-game feedback and Nolt, and continue bug fixes, balance tuning, and optimizations as the title evolves.
Nine titles appeared on Xbox Game Pass Essential over the weekend without formal announcement (Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Jetpac Refuelled, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power, Stacking, Iron Brigade, Massive Chalice, Neon Abyss, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood); Outbound also joins the main Game Pass Ultimate today, and Microsoft has not yet formally announced this batch, with a full May 2026 Essential list expected.
Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert's next major patch will drop in the coming days, adding new special mounts and an extraction feature to recover materials used in equipment refinement, along with a broad slate of bug fixes; a recent patch (1.05.00) rolled out, and future patches have historically released on weekends, though no exact date is set yet.
Microsoft confirms the April 2026 security updates added psmounterex.sys to the Vulnerable Driver Blocklist, which can cause VSS-based backup programs (e.g., Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, UrBackup Server, NinjaOne Backup) to fail when mounting or managing backup images on Windows 10/11/Server. Symptoms include VSS timeouts and Code Integrity events (Event ID 3077). The company recommends updating affected backup apps to versions that use newer drivers and warns against uninstalling the update. Some Windows Server 2025 devices may experience BitLocker recovery prompts after KB5082063, and Microsoft issued out-of-band fixes for server install/restart issues.
Microsoft says it’s delivering the promised Windows 11 fixes in 2026, sharing a progress update that emphasizes fewer disruptions and better performance. Highlights include overhauling the Windows Insider channels with Experimental and Beta, introducing feature flags, and ending CFR; a streamlined update cadence with a single monthly restart and the option to pause updates for up to 35 days (re‑pausable), plus the ability to skip updates during OOBE. AI usage is being pared back with Copilot appearing in fewer places, File Explorer is getting architectural and performance improvements, and Widgets will be quieter with the MSN feed disabled by default. Memory optimizations and a refined Windows scheduler aim to speed up core tasks, while Microsoft plans further refinements to Taskbar, Start menu, and Windows Search, aided by upcoming in-person Insider meetups for feedback.
Pokémon Champions launched on Switch with a mobile version planned, but fans criticized its small roster, bugs, and missing Pokémon seen in trailers. Game director Masaaki Hoshino defended the title, saying the team did its best and noting limited on-screen Pokemon compared to Pokkén Tournament. The game is planned to receive periodic updates and new seasons that add more Pokémon, items, and rules, with The Pokémon Company positioning Champions as the official platform for competitive play—so improvements are expected over time.
Windows 11’s April update now automatically notifies you about Secure Boot certificate status to meet the June 2026 expiration, replacing manual PowerShell checks; enable automatic updates and diagnostic data so the necessary certificate updates install by June, and check status under Settings > Device Security > Secure Boot.
Microsoft is rolling out Windows Update changes for Dev and Experimental Windows Insider channels that let you indefinitely pause updates in 35-day chunks, with no limit on how many times you can re-pause. If you don’t re-pause, updates will run as usual. The update experience is being unified so updates download in the background and install on a coordinated schedule, and Windows 11 will add power menu options to restart or shut down without updates and to skip updates during device setup. Driver update titles will also include the device class they apply to.
Apple released iOS 26.4 on March 24, bringing eight new emoji, video podcasts in the Podcasts app, and a slate of enhancements: Reduce Bright Effects to curb Liquid Glass motion, Playlist Playground (beta) for generating Apple Music playlists from descriptions, Concerts in Apple Music to discover shows, offline-capable Shazam in Control Center, Ambient Music widgets on the home screen, Adult members in Family Sharing can use their own payment methods, expanded caption options for videos, easier wallpaper collection management, and support for AirPods Max 2. Update via Settings > General > Software Update.
Android users report severe battery drain after Google’s April 2026 update, affecting Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 with rapid idle drain and even hot phones, including reports on airplane mode. The issue has drawn thousands of votes on Google’s Issue Tracker, and Google says it only has battery stats so far and is asking for detailed bug reports to investigate; no fix is available yet.
Google continues rolling out major Gemini for Home upgrades, boosting music playback reliability and playlist recognition, speeding up date/time responses, reducing interruptions while you speak, and enhancing notes and lists management. Additional improvements include more reliable iOS camera connections, refined thermostat settings, and expanded parental controls across the Home app.
A slow PC isn’t always due to age. Start with a reboot, then speed things up by adjusting six hidden Windows settings: disable unnecessary startup programs, limit background app activity, switch to High Performance when plugged in, manage Windows Update with Active Hours or pause, turn off visual effects, and enable Storage Sense to auto-delete junk files. These tweaks can yield noticeable responsiveness without buying a new computer.
Pokémon Champions launch has been marred by several bugs (Leech Seed HP miscalculation, Mega Evolution ordering glitches, incorrect Pokémon genders in tutorials and released teams, Encore/Lightning Rod issues, and a battle UI move-selection bug). The developer apologized and said these issues will be addressed in future data updates or maintenance, with ongoing investigation into other problems; the piece notes the game is planned for Switch in April 2026 with mobile versions to follow.